Laptop virtually perfect for the road
 

Just came across this

ASUS Eee PC - official site
Asus Eee PC: £199 Linux laptop - Crave at CNET.co.uk - more details
ASUS Eee PC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - even more details

It's virtually ideal for travelling - solid state hard drive - so no moving parts to get trashed - and it's dirt cheap £199.

It has wi-fi, 4,8 or 16gb solid state hard drive, 4 usb ports, ships with a nice little linux variant (very easy to use) that boots in 15 seconds and comes pre-loaded with open office, skype and firefox.

It's exactly what I've been looking for - they come out next month... time to put some cash aside I think!

m

The first site .. looks to be all flash photos and stuff .. the wilpeadia is more useful .. looks like it will run windows XP .. so could be used for Garmin GPS Mapsource stuff .. nice find.

Note some criticism on the wilpeadia site ..

"Video resolution of the Eee PC-701's 7 inch screen is only 800x480 pixels, the same as Nokia's N800 4.1 inch screen. This will prevent usage with some software and will likely make navigating many web sites much more difficult."

Difficult but not impossible. Have you ever tried browsing on a 320x240 PDA?

Yes it's certainly not a fully featured laptop with stunning resolution - but that's what makes is perfect for travelling I think...

It would be good to have a larger screen resolution and it looks as if the 10'' version will - but what people have been saying is that on a 7'' screen anything larger than 800x600 is almost impossible to read - which makes a certain amount of sense I suppose.
Big ticks for me have to be..

* Solid state hard drive - it aint gonna break
* Small form factor - I can tuck it away anywhere
* So cheap if it dies, it's not the end of the world
* Built in wi-fi
* USB ports so I can connect my phone, camera etc

I guess it's that in-between step from a PDA (less than 800!) and a laptop - I'm sure I'm not going to be surfing the apple trailers site whilst I'm out on the road - but I'll certainly be ploughing through my various RSS feeds, maybe booking ferries etc, and updating my blog and sending emails.

I don't have a Garmin so I don't have to worry about MapSource I guess - I'd also be very hesitant about running XP on it - it's got very good specs for an OS that takes up less than 500mb of disk space - but it's going to struggle with one that takes up 4gb!

Me likey a lot.

Shame the 10" isnt out until 2008.

Yes I know what you mean - I've got a pre-order in on the 7'' - I'll report back when I've had a play.

m

Just spotted this... now... it's a 'normal' laptop - standard moving parts hard drive and other bits - it runs linux and its..... £73.. yes... £73

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07...son_celebrity/

now - I'm not sure it'll last very long on the road - BUT at that price - with a 14'' screen and 1280x768 resolution.... seems reasonable.

m

I hate to p*ss on your bonfire, but have a read of this Medison Celebrity - the "genuine" £75 notebook? - Pocket-lint.co.uk
the old chestnut, if it sounds to good to be true...........................


Trophymick

Well as ever you should only buy from a trusted source - I wont buy on in Europe yet as there's no supplier - but BBC America has placed an order for 10 of them as cheap machines to use in the field - let's see if they turn up!

great find, hope its released before I leave.

video of Asus

YouTube - Asus Eee PC 701 News Video

Cool - thanks for the link - most informative - yes I'm crossing fingers it comes out before my Sept 4th departure.

m

anyone manage to spot if the Eee PC had a DVD/CD drive in it??

Nope. Everything would have to be installed via USB using package files or by using an inexpensive USB CD/DVD RW.

LITE-ON Dvd Dual Drive Dvd+/-rw 20x8x16x Dl 8x Dvd-ram 12x Usb 2.0 External LH-20A1PX-500C

Once things are installed on linux, they dont go wrong (usually).

You can put a DVD image onto a flash drive and install off that or just make sure you have everything that you need pre-installed on the trip.

The only downfall is not being able to burn dvd's on the road but I dont think thats an issue these days seeing as USB flash memory is so cheap now and the Eee's 16mg memory wont allow much storing of video/pictures/music etc.

Think of it like a camera where you need to buy Memory cards.

Yes I couldn't agree more... and the thing is of course that linux software is generally downloaded rather than installed from CD - unless of course you want to play that very latest CD Single!

anyhow... as you say flash memory is so cheap - in fact it's free when you've been to as many tech conferences as me and have as many USB memory sticks as I do!

m

If this thing can handle my mapsource for Garmin, I'm definately buying.

Well it's linux based so unless you remove that and install Windows XP then I'm afraid it wont :-(

Little laptop
 

Hi Guy, I needed a small sized PC for work. I travel all over the UK/Europe. Kent to the Shetland Isles, Spain etc. Yes on the bike.
So I got a Flybook. It certainly is the business, every connection you could need, including SIM card slot, 9" 1224x780 touch screen, 80Gb HD. It even has a kevlar carry case.
Bit pricey though.
Flybook
I'm planning South America for next year.:thumbup1:

Ugh, ofcourse :censored: .

Oh well.

Wow... beautiful machine, the new one with built in everything is a dream! But at 1.5k... wow that's a hunk of money!

m

Jeeesus.

Bit much to spend on a laptop that rattles around in a backbox. This isnt a GS forum you know ;)

:clap: :innocent:

here here!!!:clap:

Mmmmmmmmm Asus!
 

Oh Boy! that Asus looks the Bizniz! Im not that computer literate.... Mattcbf600 says that for Mapsource to work Linux would have to be removed and XP installed. Does that mean there are NO map programs available for Linux? or GPS compatible stuff like Autoroute?

Loads of FREE Linux Software for the Asus Here.....
 

Linux Software about 11,000 files, should be something there for everyone!:thumbup1:

Pricey laptop (Flybook)
 

Hey guys I need it for work, no really, ask my accountant, that's what he told the (very nice) tax person.
It comes in a kevlar bag, and I have a waterproof gel cover, so it is well protected.

A looked at the Asus 701, it looks good for traveling.
I use a Fujitsu-Siemens LOOX720 PPC, for general travel
Just got a price for delivery of the Asus next month.
As for the software you could always load Lindows.
They can port most software. I'll be looking into it and get back to you.
Linspire - The World's Easiest Desktop Linux

Fantastic - where did you get that? I've been googling like mad trying to find a supplier but failed so far... link would be grand - need to get my order in!

m

One of the local computer places is taking pre-orders for about 450 CAD. Of course there is a Fleabay listing for 650 USD currently that claims that only 20,000 white ones will be shipped worlwide within the next couple of weeks. Looks like it will be a bit more of a wait.

Sony Vaio
 

Hello guys,

I have been looking at one of these and they support everything! And only 800 grams with a DVD burner. US$2200?

Sony Vaio Model VGN-TZ150N/B

Cheers

RM Bringing it to the UK
 

Just picked this up on The Register

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10...ches_minibook/

so Nov 1st for those of us on the UK.

m

Hm.. The cost of adding Windoze will probably double the cost of the machine!

There must be some existing software out there for Linux that supports export to GPX file format, which most Garmins seem to support.

Latest news on the configurations

Asus launches tiny PC | Reg Hardware

Asus UK, for instance, will be offering only the 4G, for £219 including VAT. It will also offer a version of the 4G with an internal 3G HSDPA card - however, the add-ins price has yet to be set.

The interesting news is that Asus have said that you can run Windows on the tiny machine, in fact they've put together all the drivers you need

While the Eee PCs are designed to run Linux, they will operate with Windows XP too, and Asus has already posted a stack of drivers necessary for folk who do want to use the Microsoft OS.

But frankly if the only UK version is the 4gb you're going to struggle to install a usable version of that favourite Microsoft OS.

I'd much prefer to pay a little more and get the 8gb version, but that would involve purchasing from abroad. It's also not clear at this stage if the UK 4gb version is the baby with or without the built in webcam, and what the memory option is - the standard ships with 512mb but the 8gb comes with 1gb DDR memory - a substantial increase.

I guess we'll know more when they hit the shops.

m

EDIT - Okay here are the UK spec machines you can buy right now

Asus Laptop - S6F-3029P, Leather Notebook -

They still appear to be on pre-order but they are UK spec - 4gb, with webcam and a choice between 512mb or 1gb RAM.

The Eee uses an SSD (solid state drive).

Im almost certain that these will be upgradeable on the small Asus.

They come in many sizes.

16gb are available for about £150.

Buy a Lexar 16GB Expresscard SSD Storage Card, #EX16GB-431 - eXpansys UK

Like all memory, these are getting cheaper and bigger all the time.

The problem is of course that the drives themselves are not accessible without breaking open the enclosure - which is of course difficult but not impossible, and will also negate your warranty - not to mention the fun you'll have working out which drives will be compatible with the motherboard... I may let others do that kind of experiment and let my warranty run out before I attempt it!

You sure the drive isnt accessible under a flap etc ??

I cant see the mobo not being compatible with standard SSD's. Its just solid memory.

Nope, the only accessible part of the machine is the RAM, you have to crack open the enclosure to get to the rest of the beast... makes a certain amount of sense, but still I'd rather be able to get in there. I'd be chuffed to bits if it's easy to swap them out though.

Asus EEE PC
 

OK, Mine was delivered on Thursday last week so I've played a bit.
This version (yes I'm on via WiFi) it's 4GB with 512 ram. 10/100 but no modem.
I did a trip on the Caledonian sleeper, traveled around London on the m/bike and tried out the WiFi in Free hotspots.
It worked well, including the webcam. And so did the USB mouse.
Issues, it is missing some of the OpenOffice packages, i.e.draw which I use a lot whilst traveling. I plugged in a DVD drive to no avail. I'm going to try a scanner and printers next.
It's a neat little package, and I could have sold six today, but I sold all my spare ones last week. I can see a lot of these moving for Xmas.
I'll put up another post when I learn a bit more about it.

Hi All, I work in education IT:( and i've had one in my hands to look at, very nice:thumbup1: well made easy to use, finding out more if i can....
TDMalcolm

EEE PC update
 

I tried to plug in all sorts of gadgets and none of them worked.
that's not quite right, the 17" LCD display (Bush) I plugged in and worked just fine. I emailed the makers for drivers of my gadgets to be told, no go. Which is annoying as everything is less than a year old.
I now have a list of compatible stuff, but that makes life complicated. I need my Flybook for work, as the software will not run on Linus (I asked).
It (the 3E) really is great, and the WiFi is very good, a lot more sensitive than my PDA surprisingly. My PDA picked up 3 networks, the 3E picked up 5 including the town connections (in Inverness & in Kirkwall).
I got onto yahoo IM with Pigin and did my email from all sorts of places, I haven't managed to import my address book from the Flybook into the PIM yet but it should be possible.
The paint program is OK but a bit primitive compared to my usual work stuff, but good enough for cleaning up a few pictures that were too dark.
Battery life worked out to be about 3 hours of continuous use with loads of writing documents and email. I could have made this longer by switching off the WiFi and dimming the screen but this was a real life test.
Everything was easy to set up, I loaned mine to an friend that is not gadget friendly and she found it easy to use and now wants one. Her comment was
"Straight out of the box and everything works. It took me a month of mucking about with the software to get my last PC working properly".
If it was just traveling and general use this would be the thing for me but for work it still is not quite there yet.
I hope this was useful to you in making the decision to buy one.
mine was supplied by Clove Technology at Clove Technology – Fujitsu Loox, HP IPAQ, GPS, Mio, Acer, Oregon Scientific, I-Mate, Palm, Psion
Please tell them I sent you. :o)

Word of advise for anyone considering one of these.. Linux is a fantastic operating system, but it can still be a bit picky about what hardware it will support (because manufacturers typically do not write Linux device drivers, and will not give the necessary hardware specs to the device driver hackers/coders).. soo.. if you're buying new hardware to work with a Linux box, go for decent hardware, and avoid unbranded stuff. If the packaging says that it supports Mac OSX, but does not mention Linux, there is still a decent chance that the device will work on the eeePC, as OSX is based on FreeBSD, which is extremely similar to Linux (both were originally Unix clones).
Also, a good place to check is the following: LinuxQuestions.org HCL - Main Index


I was tempted to go for one of these devices too, but I ended up going for the Nokia N800 (internet tablet), which is basically a handheld computer (not a phone!) which runs Linux. Its powerful enough to display videos (specially encoded using "transcode"), display my fiche images (saved as jpg), and fits up to 16GB of memory, via 2 SD cards. The software is all free, and the best part is that I picked up a new one for 170 GBP on ebay (compared to 250-300 on the high street), as the new N810 is just out, which most people are more interested in (but I'm not, cos it has one of those breakable pull-out keyboards which the N800 avoids). It also has a radio tuner, wifi, bluetooth, and an Opera-based browser (switchable to a Mozilla/Firefox based browser by upgrading the operating system to the 2008 version). Did I mention it also supports skype? :) It's cool, and a hell of an alternative to a laptop if you need your geeky toys on the road.

Good advice there.

BUT I've had to go back on my pledge to buy an Asus... it's not because it's not suitable - it's fantastic - we have one to play with in the office... however.... look what MAY be coming next year...

Mac Rumors: Apple Ultra-Portable MacBook Rumor Roundup

So I'll just have to wait and see because an Apple designed and built ultra portable with Flash memory is going to win hands down over the Asus.

m

Thanks for that tip, Matt. Being a Mac guy it's exactly the kind of macine I would buy for travelling. Having used Macs from the beginning, I'd wait 6-12 months of course and let others work out the bugs. Let's hope the rumors are true!

Yes I know what you mean... I've bought pretty much every first generation Apple product for the last 8 years and I've paid the price - having said that the software updates always work and the hardware never fails... so I may just take yet another leap of faith and await the stunning 12 inches I'm sure Mr Jobs will provide :eek3:

You can lead a horse to water...
 

But can you make him drink?
IBM Thinkpad X40 PM 1.7GHz<br>(2371-8EU) Grade B
ThinkPad X40
Shown on docking station but works fine without(no DVD). Comes with the docking station.
Click on photo to enlarge.
8x10x0.5 inches
Windows XP Pro
40 Gig HD
USB will power an external HD
Wireless
Phone Modem
Travel charger
2.5 lbs.(removes from docking station)
Fall protection on HD.
$370usd

Very nice to use.
Quality.
b.

Cracking kit - and of course I could happily instal a decent OS on it and it's very light - but I'm afraid it falls at the first hurdle having a standard HD rather than a flash based one.... which is one of the major things I'm looking for.

matt,
With memory limited to 8 gigs and no Windows, what's to want?
Gonna be an antique when you get it.
Flash memory is coming but it isn't here yet
What don't I understand?
At least the ThinkPad is aging gracefully.
Please explain.
b.

Hey Bill,

Well with the mac you wont be limited to 8gb of memory (flash memory is now faster than standard HDs - it's also being made in chunks of 20gb+)... and actually having no windows is a bad thing!?!?!?! :innocent:

Having said that of course macs will quite happily run windows as it will Mac OS X as well as BSD or another linux variant. Why take one OS on the road when you can take three?

The thinkpad is a really nice machine - no question. But having already trashed 2 hard drives on the road my next laptop is going to have to have flash memory.

Plus it'll come with all of those modern gooddies like USB 2 which will make the transfer of photographs significantly easier and faster, not to mention 802.11b/g so faster connections to the network when I do hit somewhere that needs it - mainly at home when I'm pushing the large photo files around.

But it's very much horses for courses with these things. I don't need massive HD because I drop my photos off in 4gb chunks and post them home - once I know they've arrived safe I drop them off the laptop - the last thing I want is to have the kit nicked or for it to break with ALL my shots from the trip on - so a massive HD is overkill for me.

For example on my last trip I had one of the first Samsung Q1 Ultra Portables with a 10gb HD and at no point did I come close to filling it. It's not my main laptop - it's my kit for the road.

Then the rest of the HD is just taken up with my silly scribbles about 'life on the road' and how tough it is :mchappy: which, as it's text and uploaded to the blog all the time hardly takes any room up at all.

I'm not one of these people that takes films (movies) with them (what's the point!?) but I do like to have space to download useful doc / pdfs if and when I need them.

The nice thing about flash memory is how easy it is to upgrade / add to. If I need more space for something specific I just plug in an 32gb SD card (£120 from play.com) and I've instantly got more space. Or just a cheap £15 8gb jobbie from play.com.

I carry an iPod too of course and if I really need the space that has 160gb (40 taken up with my music) - but even though I love my iPod I still don't trust that it wont die on the road so wont put anything essential on there.

Now I think I'm rambled on enough and I should leave you to your breakfast!

m

Hi Matt,
160 gig of external HD space in your I pod.
Dude that isn't flash memory.
You are spinning a disk....
Well no matter.
I like having my tunes and pics all in one place with everything backed up separately just in case.
I bought a 2 year IBM service warranty so I have about $740 in equipment(including the external HD) and warranty plus $25 for a case.
There is no DVD player with my system if I don't carry the detachable base(I won't).
I can run an SD card in addition to the other memories.
Battery life for me is about 6 hours in the real world if I keep the screen brightness down.

I am sure this is going to be an ongoing discussion, and a good one at that.
Something I look forward to.
bill.

Horses for courses....
 

You're quite right Bill the iPod is a spinning disk... hence....

" but even though I love my iPod I still don't trust that it wont die on the road so wont put anything essential on there."

But everyone has different needs and I don't think there's one system out there that will work for everyone... so... at home I have...

A HP Laptop - it's nice enough, bought it from John Lewis - all the bells and whistles, massive HD plus an external HD for backup, and a massive 30 inch monitor. That works at home because my wife is a journalist and needs access to her most loved of audio editing applications Audition, and all I need is fast access to email and t'internet

Work - well I have an all singing all dancing MacBook Pro - maxxed out RAM, external HD for backup and a stunning array of plug in accessories and monitors.

On the road... well that's the golden question for this thread isn't it.

For my needs it has to be flash based, doesn't need a massive capacity, but must be able to connect to anything that is thrown at it and be able to quickly download images / other files to SD cards for posting home and backup to the main computer. It must also 'just work' - I have the laptop because I like to record my journey and blog about it - but I'm not spending an hour in an internet cafe trying to get it to connect to the wi-fi or trying to work out why it wont recognise my memory card - I left that behind when I ditched Windows ;-) With a decent linux instal or preferably a Mac OS X install I get to spend more time on the road enjoying the travelling than messing with my tech.

I have my tunes on the iPod away from the main computer because frankly if my iPod fails it's not the end of the world - but if the laptop fails... it could be a bigger problem for me - but that's what you get when you rely so bloody much on technology! I need to go back to pen and paper I think :eek3:

So to summarise - at home and work all singing all dancing - on the road - as simple as possible to reduce the risk of something breaking.

Hi Matt,
I completely understand your philosophy and support it.
We will see how my Thinkpad holds up on the road.
I want one machine that does it all and I am a computer noob to be sure.
I work as a night nurse and then hit the road...only one computer for me.
I travel as an RN and as a motorcyclist.

The little Think Pad caught my eye and when I tried it the quality feel sucked me in.
If it was a motorcycle it would be a thumper,
High power, low weight...just like my 2002 KTM 640 Adventure.
Good used equipment.
It all comes back to motorcycles and women and politics and religion...our choices are who we are.
Here's a review that isn't too computereze(two pages).

IBM ThinkPad X40 Review

bill.

The ThinkPad is certainly a very solid machine - I'm sure it'll suit you down to the ground!

I trained as a nurse btw... did my common foundation programme before leaving for the heady heights of other work :-)

m

Hi
I was going to buy one of these mainly for Mapsource and saving gps tracks.Is this possible??I have heard windows xp needs to be installed.How much would this cost and is it straight forward?:confused1:
Thanks

Actually, Bill I must correct you...if the Thinkpad was a motorcycle, it would be a K75...;) Those K75s(like their owners) are very insensitive!

Unlike desktops, design and component quality is key in laptops...specifically their HD's which are the most prone to failure...
Thinkpads use Hitachi travelstar HD's as their OEM, and those are proven workhorses...
Until, laptops switch to significant size solid state hard drive in the future, picking one with a quality HD(at a reasonable cost) will drive my decision...

l refuse to get caught up in the speed, size, cc crap...I need something that will work when i turn it on every time...that's why I choose the K and the Thinkpad...and so does NASA...standard on the Space Station and all space shuttle flights.

You can install windows on the Asus eee PC - Asus provide all the drivers you need and you can buy a 'cut down' version of windows for it from microsoft - all in all that eats up about 2gb of your 4gb hard drive - but if capacity isn't a huge thing for you (storing your maps on sd cards for example) then that's not a problem :-)

There's a guide to stuff over on the reg

Eee PC: better with Windows? | Reg Hardware

hope that helps :-)

m

Very solid little machines - interesting article about the NASA stuff over at

2001: A Space Laptop | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference

if you're interested.

m

Thanks for the reply.I'll look into it.Cheers

I'm just playing with my new ASUS EeePC. Here's a pic of it online.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...h/DSCF1027.jpg

If this has worked I've taken a pic from my camera, uploaded it to photobucket and posted it. Job done.

It seems like a good bit of kit. I just have to remember that I've got very little spare memory and use my 250GB external drive.

I dont understand why people arnt buying the one from overseas which has (if im correct in thinking it does), 8gb HDD and 1gb RAM !

They are on EBAY !

nice one dude - they're really really cool and if Apple don't come up with the goods early next year then the Asus is the only way to go... and yes Ted... I'll be buying it from over-seas!!!

m

I'd love an EeePC and would prefer Windows so I'm wondering wouldn't it be possible to put an older version of Windows on it? I'm still happily running Win2000 on my PC of a 512Mb HD with a 160Gb slave for everything else.

So, I'm thinking couldn't I just pop Win2000 on the Asus?

I don't see why not - the Asus does ship with a CD that contains all the windows drivers for the hardware, but I know that's aimed at XP so you may need to do some digging to get to the stuff for 2000.

Of course if you're going to slap that memory hungry OS on it you may want to upgrade the RAM to as much as you can squeeze in there.

m

Hi everyone.I bought the EE PC a coouple of weeks ago
& am very pleased with it,very easy to use.
Have thought about upgrading the Ram but,was told by the
place I got it ( YO_YO Tech in the Tottenham Ct Rd ) That it invalidates
the warranty,so,will consider this.
Price by the way was £219.00
Am going to Morocco on my bike this week so,will be interesting to see
how it performs

Cheers Paul

Would be really interested in hearing how it plays out whilst in Morocco - a good on the road report would be read with much interest here I suspect!

Re upgrading the RAM - Asus have now announced that they are going to honour all warranties even if you break the seal on the RAM cover... see here

Upgrade RAM on Asus Eee PC Without Voiding Warranty

Hi All, I had the same idea...how about win98? stillnet workable, supports usb devices etc and most of all takes even less space on the main drive!!!! Just a thought...
TDMalcolm

Yup I'd thought Win98 SE too, but figured that'd be really going back into the past in terms of finding supported software. That said I've got an old hD somewhere which has Win98SE and a whole load of supported software on it including all the downloaded installers, so I could try it.

Looking into it further the drivers that are supplied on the CD only work with XP and not with previous systems.... but in theory you should be able to identify the hardware then get the drivers (one way or another).

But rather you than me!

Yup, Googling a bit did seem to suggest it'd be a waste of time, however...

For the Mac lovers amongst us HERE's someone with OSX on their EeePC.

very cool indeed - I'd like to find out more about how well it runs.....

m

Primary Source
 

I spoke a few posts ago about Asus not voiding warranties if you install your own RAM - at the time I couldn't find the relevant press release from Asus... but here it is from the horses mouth... removing the sticker over the RAM access port will NOT void the warranty

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Ram
 

Nice one geezer
Well researched!!Will definately upgrade the Ram now.
My baby loaded onto truck today,hope to see her again in Malaga on Saturday (fingers crossed )
I will load Windows XP before I go, as,the Linux mystifies me somewhat (nearly 60 you see ) but see no problems as long as I have plenty of flash drives.
My only problem is charging from my bike,but I suppose it,ll be okay if I just stay in Hotels,(not very romantic,but comfortable )

Cheers Paul:scooter:

I got my hands on an Asus today and I'm very impressed by it, it was the 8gb with XP on it and I have to say it worked better than the 8 year old clunking desktop I'm using to type this on.

The only downside, they don't seem to have a French AZERTY keyboard yet, only QWERTY, so my touch typing just left me with total gobbledegook. Even though I'm English I've got so used to AZERTY and I know prefer it.

Still I'm sure one will appear.

Hi Alex, just a querie..:rolleyes2:where did you get the 8mb machine from? not seen one in uk 4 sale yet!:helpsmilie:
TDMalcolm

I've got a friend who is the whole PC, laptop digital doodads buyer for Tescos, and he happened to have one for errrr "testing purposes". I'm kind of hoping he decides it needs a very very long consumer test in rough conditions...

Very handy!

I'm still waiting on the mac front but I just know the Asus is actually going to win.

m

Okay - so I don't actually need this kit until June so I'm happy to hang off and see what comes along.. and just as I'd pretty much decided to go with the mac Asus turn around and announce that in Q2 they're releasing new machines with wi-max support and a larger screen supporting 1024x 768 resolution

Second-gen Eee PC a CES no-show | Reg Hardware

Umpc?
 

I've just read about another ASUS product which is a PDA style touch screen tablet PC.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.en...-r50a-2-up.jpg

HERE and HERE

4.8-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display; built-in GPS (link up seamlessly to Google Maps, and the R50A will know your exact location) ; WIFI; Bluetooth; webcam and microphone; 3G / 3.5G data; and built-in TV tuner.

Not certain about the TV tuner, but the rest looks good. No keyboard though, but perhaps for blogging it'd be fine and perhaps there's a driver for a flexible keyboard like the one I have for my phone.

Thankfully, there's no escape from macs for me (I use special softwares and I'm relatively CPU/RAM hungry too). I'll probably take 15" MacBook Pro (for better resolution working on pics and/or HD videos) backupped with separate HD. I miss 12" PowerBook, with aluminium casing and for me a good compromise between screen size/performance/overall size, it's a pity they didn't do 12" MacBook Pro version of it, with 4GB ram possibility and fast (800mhz or more) bus speed.

Let's see if the forthcoming small version of Apple laptop will be a candidate. I've already heard the price will be relatively stiff compared to bottom end MacBooks (the basic ones)...

Got My Eeepc lastnight!
 

Hi All, I've just been blown away :eek3:Got a black 701 eeepc last night (belated chrissy pressy):thumbup1: and was using it within two minutes!!!! my own wireless net etc...who needs M%$*&T anyways:cool4: i will be using mine while traveling, where ever i go, I work in IT in the education system of the uk for 20yrs and the first time i'm gob smacked at the release of this little machine and what it's capable of (oh ps. theres a touch screen kit for it now!) ride on man.....:clap:
TDMalcolm

Welcome to the EeePC club.

Cheers Flyingdoc,:welcome: i think i've started somthing at work with at least two more engineers wanting one:thumbup1:
Regards TDMalcolm

Malcolm, do you have any more info on that touch screen kit?

Hi Alex, checkout this link:thumbup1:


http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2007/12/asus-eee-pc-with-touch-screen.html
TDMalcolm

Yeah spotted that in the reg artivle - I used something very similar on the trip to Morocco - really nice kit - the Samsung Q1

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1034/...978e84d35a.jpg

and because it has a touch screen I didn't need to get the keyboard out every time I wanted to use it - but it still felt a little expensive to be taking on the road with me - it also ate battery life - but frankly that was a minor issue.

I'm going to hang off on buying the kit until a month before I go - that way with any luck I'll be able to get the latest and best !

Having said that I've been playing with the Asus in work and I think I'm in love ;-)

Full Of Hope
 

I traveled with a Toughbook from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego. The Toughbook is a survivor. It was in my rack box when I got hit in the rear by three trucks. Problem? Weight. My right leg remains weak from the smash. Every extra pound is critical so I gave the Toughbook to the Angel Graciela, owner of Hotel Argentino in Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego.
Now I am about to collect an EEE PC in NY before flying back to Panama to continue my ride north. Blog at www.simongandolfi

Just spotted this in the National Geographic Adventure mag

Durabook - N Series/N15RI

It's not quite as durable as the full on tough books, but then again it doesn't cost as much!

$1799 for the brand new D15RS with very decent spec - the only downside seems to be the pure size of the thing - 15'' monitor, and 6.3 pounds. Having said that it's a full on machine sporting 2gb RAM, 160GB HD and full Windows Vista.

If I had the space I'd seriously consider this if I was to spend more time filming and shooting on the road.

ASUS EEE is the thing to have. I have been using it on the road for more than a month now and it is fantastic. I will buy the 6 cell battery though as 3 hours is a bit to little.

Here it is, Apple MacBook Air:


http://images.apple.com/macbookair/i...ir20080115.jpg


http://images.apple.com/macbookair/i...ir20080115.jpg


http://images.apple.com/macbookair/i...8_20080115.jpg


http://images.apple.com/macbookair/i...7_20080115.jpg

13.3" display, 1.6Ghz Intel C2D, 800mhz bus, 2GB RAM, 64gig solid state HD possibility, built in camera, bluetooth, backlit illuminated keyboard, 5 hours of battery life, 1.36kg...

More here: Apple - MacBook Air

...I'm now starting to feel sorry I just bought a MacBook Pro :)

New Mac
 

Hi All, The Mac book Air is a lovely bit of kit:thumbup1:...... but 1200gbp inc 80gb HDD, or for an extra 500gbp for 64mb ?? SSD..WOW how many Eeepc's could you get for that inc extra storage:eek3: I think that for traveling any where and by any means you care to use bike, car, M/C etc It will take some beating:thumbup1::clap:TDMalcolm

Hi Peter, Where are you gettin the uprated battery pack from? any where in the uk?:mchappy:
TDMalcolm

Of course you mean 64gb :wink2:

What a wonderful wonderful machine - it's right there in the middle price wise - it 'aint cheap - but it's not exactly expensive either. It's tiny tiny tiny, weights next to nothing but is a fully featured laptop that will allow you to edit video and mess with photos etc on the road.

However... Mac fan that I am... it's not the sub-notebook I was hoping for... I think I'll end up with one for home or the office but I'm not going to take it on the road - it's a bit over-kill for me.

I think I'll be going with the Asus, but wait for the Q2 updates and see what comes out the door - would love to know more about the extended battery pack too please!

m

Hi folks,

A few days ago I dumped my bike into a river in a Thai national park. My Sony Vaio Picturebook went under and is most likely unrecoverably dead. I'm still hoping the HD isn't...

So, any idea what is available in Thailand to replace it with?

I need Windows 2000 or XP to run Mapsource and the screen resolution of the EeeePC seems a little low, even less than my Sony from 1999 and that wasn't really enough to work with photos.

Cheers,
Peter.

I thought that before I got one but it's fine for normal web browsing and looking at your photo's and video's.

It does actually depend on what the OS does with the resolution tbh - windows at that size is dreadful, you can hardly see anything, but linux deals with a lot better and the HUBB is perfectly viewable and useable as are most sites and it deals with image sizes really well too.

m

Eee PC modifications
 

One of my favourite websites, found (thru Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide) a wiki site dedicated to modding the Eee PC.
http://beta.ivancover.com/wiki/index...sible_Upgrades

WARNING only for the tech-heads saying: "if you can't open it you don't own it"

http://store.makezine.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MKSWT-2.jpg

Also found EeeUser.com » Unofficial ASUS Eee PC EeePC 701 Blog Forum Wiki Community with lots of info and a lively forum which are probably of more use to you.

cheers

..You can use Ozyexplorer over linux and run garmin information at no problem over this OS.
Also you can download geo-* linux utility for gps. geo-*: Rick Richardson's Linux tools for geocaching
Also always you can googlear and find a cheap (and legal) xp original copy, mostly times come from corporates versions.
At the time you add external gps and bluethoot and other stuff you ended whit similar cost than a zumo 550.:eek3::eek3::eek3:
Just my .2 cents.

Everex Cloudbook
 

I just read about this Everex - The Alternative PC when researching small laptops. Anybody see any hands-on reviews of it yet? It was supposed to be released a couple of days ago.

davex laptop everest have a hard drive so it's same problem..
Mostly fault in laptops is due hd failure due vibration or fall.
That's beautifully for asus.. no hd!!:thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Yeah, but as long as you're not running it while you're riding, shouldn't be aproblem as the head is parked off the platters when it is powered down.

That being said, I just bought a 4G EEE and 1GB of ram for it last night =]. I think I'm going to bring that a laptop drive to store pictures up from my camera and back that up on my ipod. Either that, or bring a dual layer DVD burner and mail disks home... which may be the best solution.

Eee Pc Arsus
 

Hi, lap toppers. I gave up my Toughbook in Tierra del Fuego because of weight (my right leg is still weak after the crash). I now have the EEE PC from Arsus. It weighs nothing, is of a size that I feel comfortable with when writing in cafes, boots rapidly, charges rapidly. I love it. It was my 75th birthday present to myself (to be celebrated on the Rio Dulce, Guatemala). True, I have only dropped it once. The Toughbook survived the crash and more than a dozen falls.
:oops2:www.simongandofli.com

..I put in my list for my trip to TDF november this years.
Now I'm working around see if can attach a laptop garmin gps and forget about the zumo or something similar...:thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Couple of updates
 

Obviously the Eee PC is winning hearts and minds (mine included) I'm going to wait for the next revision before buying... but in the UK actually getting your hands on one is a little difficult... fortunately someone pointed me in the direction of an automated 'in stock' page for all the major suppliers

So page found from this site / forum sub-page

EeeUser ASUS Eee PC EeePC Forum / Prices, Preorders, and Where To Buy

actual page here

ASUS EEE PC Stock

And also, very interesting discussion going on over at slashdot this morning about this very topic - if you want the real geek insight into this issue - check this out

Slashdot | Best Laptop for Going Around the World?

m